Car accidents be distressing and disorienting, and victims are often left with a plethora of questions. Here, at KeepHighwaysSafe.org, we try to answer your FAQs quickly & thoroughly:

Below, you will find frequently asked questions (FAQs) pertaining to car accidents in Pennsylvania, and they may even help you with your questions if you have been in an accident in another state. If you are unable to find your question, or are in need of immediate assistance, feel free to call Solnick & Associates, Pennsylvania car accident attorneys, at (877) 415-6495.

What are the common causes of car accidents in Pennsylvania?

What are common injuries sustained from car accidents in Pennsylvania?

How can I prevent a car accident?

How much is my car accident worth?

What are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Pennsylvania?

Distracted Driving: How often do you hear of tragic accidents caused by an unwary driver who is texting while behind the wheel? Over 16% of all car accidents involved a distracted driver, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Thousands of innocent people, from young children to the elderly population, suffer from injuries due to car accidents involving a distracted driver every year. Distracted driving is one of the most prominent causes for car accidents, involving a variety of different types of distractions, from talking and texting on cell phones to eating to talking to a passenger in the car.

Speeding: Going over the limit just by those few miles per hour might crunch a few minutes off of the time it will take to reach the intended destination, however, the risks of speeding are ignored when drivers are rushing from Point A to Point B. This can, once again, inflict injury upon the innocent, threatening those who obey the law, and even causing death.

Drunk Driving: According to the Centers for Disease Control, 28 people die each day in accidents involving an alcohol-impaired driver. Driving under the influence of alcohol is another dangerous, yet common cause for car accidents. By law, a driver is legally drunk at a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08. At this point, normal judgement is impaired and reactions are delayed, almost practically staging a car accident. This careless pairing of drinking and driving takes the lives of many – including children – each day, sadly and unnecessarily.

What are Common Injuries that Occur Due to Car Accidents in Pennsylvania?

Neck: Whiplash is a commonly noted injury among drivers involved in head-on or rear-ended accidents. This is an injury to the neck involving one’s head being rocked violently back and forth in a rapid manner, leaving the neck sore and possibly provoking other issues, such as the spine and the brain.

Arms, Knees, and Legs: The force of an accident between two motors vehicles may jolt the drivers around, slamming the arms and legs of a person against the doors, steering wheels, dashboards, glove compartments, and other interior components of the vehicle.

Fractured Bones: In a car accident, fractured bones are more than a possibility due to the amount of force exerted between the vehicles involved. This type of injury typically requires longer recovery times, which may result in loss of time at work.

Back Injuries: The impact of a car accident can easily cause injury to one’s back and spine, with the kinetic energy of the crash whipping the body against the seat harshly, which could possibly damage the spine from the great amount of force.

Concussions: Even with the use of a seatbelt, concussions are still a threat to those involved in accidents. The steering wheel, dashboard, and even the ceiling of the vehicle or the sunroof can become a driver’s worst nightmare in the event of a collision, causing trauma to the head.

Should I See a Doctor, Even if My Injuries are Minor?

It is imperative to see a physician as soon as possible, as some injuries may not be apparent through self examination and due to shock, you may not feel the pain of injuries until some time later. The earlier you see a physician, the faster you can start your recovery from any potential injuries. Whiplash, concussions, and nerve damage are difficult to detect without a thorough examination by a physician. With all of these injuries being of serious nature, they could potentially threaten your ability to accomplish daily tasks and maintain your job.

How Can I Prevent a Car Accident?

Avoid distractions such as talking or texting on your cell phone or while operating a motor vehicle. In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to text while driving, and in many, cities, laws are enforced against making phone calls while driving.

NEVER operate a motorized vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As cliché as it may sound, drinking (or taking drugs) and driving do not mix, due to the impaired reaction times resulting from alcohol’s effect on the nervous system. If you plan on drinking (or taking drugs), have a friend with you who does not plan on drinking, or have a taxi designated for your transportation.

Anticipate the actions of other drivers. Just because you are a cautious driver with situation awareness does not mean that the person in the car next to you is applying the same aptitude.

Adjust driving according to weather. When it is raining, snowing, icy, or even windy, it falls under your discretion to enact your ability to adjust your speed and to remain attentive to other drivers and their actions.

How Much is My Personal Injury Lawsuit Worth?

There is no definite answer, as this depends on the severity of your injuries, along with circumstances surrounding the case. Are you unable to work due to injuries sustained? Did you suffer any permanent injuries? How much money was lost in expenses covering this incident? Settlements and verdicts can range from thousands of dollars all the way up to tens of millions of dollars. These questions will give you an idea for your range for settlement.

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